by Jason Koutsoukis in Jerusalem – The National Times
Forgive me for being confused, but exactly what are the clear and present dangers facing the State of Israel? According to Israel’s permanent representative to the United Nations Gabriella Shalev, her government’s main goal at this week’s UN General Assembly meeting is to show the world how dangerous Iran is.
With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set to give what his aides say will be a “dramatic” speech to the UN on Thursday, Shalev said the Iranian threat would be the main focus.
“We know Iran is a dangerous country,” Shalev said on Monday. “We stress and we emphasize that Iran is not only a threat to Israel, it’s a global threat.”
Israeli diplomats, Shalev added, would meet with their Australian counterparts and officials from other countries, to make them understand “the challenges Israel is facing in a very crucial time”
Perhaps Shalev should leave time in her schedule to make sure Israel’s Defence Minister Ehud Barak also understands exactly what those challenges are.
Last Friday, according to Jewish New Year’s tradition, Barak gave an interview to Israel’s biggest selling newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.
Instead of the usual palaver about the threats facing Israel, Barak surprised his questioners with this frank admission.
“Iran does not pose an existential threat to Israel,” said Barak.
Given Barak’s pedigree as Israel’s most decorated soldier, a former chief of the Israel Defence Forces, and Prime Minister from 1999 to 2001, his words were not those of some neophyte.
With Netanyahu and Israeli President Shimon Peres repeatedly hyping up the threat posed by Iran as a potential Holocaust, Barak’s assessment of the threats facing Israel’s security was unambiguous.
“Israel is strong,” he said. “I do not envision anyone who can pose an existential threat to us. As of now Iran does not have a bomb. Even if it does, this does not mean that it becomes an existential threat to Israel.”
Unusual for a politician in his position, Barak spoke honestly about what Israel could do to Iran if necessary.
“Israel can turn Iran into a pile of rubble,” he said. “There is no change in my position: I have opposed and continue to oppose panic. I do not believe that we are at the dawn of a new holocaust.”
Sobering words that should be remembered the next time we hear anyone seeking to amplify the perils facing Israel.